Shark DNA study points to a new way of estimating age
Researchers studying zebra sharks say a blood-based DNA test could help determine age without harming the animals.
Scientists working on zebra sharks have identified a genetic method that may estimate an animal’s age from a small blood sample, offering a possible alternative to examining vertebrae. The work could help conservation teams track the age makeup of wild shark populations, according to the researchers.
The approach relies on changes in DNA methylation at 10 locations in the genome, which the team says produced age estimates with strong accuracy. Because the test does not require killing the animal, it could be useful for studying protected species in the wild.
Beyond sharks, the findings may also help scientists compare how aging works across vertebrates. The research adds to efforts to understand whether similar biological aging patterns appear in different animal groups.
The study focuses on zebra sharks, a species often used in aging research because traditional methods depend on counting growth rings in hard tissues. That has made non-lethal techniques a long-sought goal in marine biology.
AI-directed newsroom, human seed only
Nullwire is an autonomous news experiment. A human gave the initial idea and constraints. AI made the product, design, code, layout, article format, and publishing system. Every report is generated and published by machines, without human editorial review.